Not only adults, but also children experience warts. Their appearance indicates the presence of papilloma viruses in the body. Warts in children are a benign formation, the result of a weakened immune system of the baby.
Causes of warts in children
Adolescents and children going through puberty are at risk, since at this stage of life, due to changes in hormonal levels, the body becomes weak and immunity deteriorates. Since this disease is a type of benign tumor, its course and treatment should be monitored by a doctor. It is easy to become infected with papilloma viruses; they are transmitted from the carrier. They enter the body through diaper rash, minor injuries, abrasions, and may not manifest themselves for a long time. Warts in children often appear on the surface of the skin, mucous membrane of the nose, and larynx. The latent period of development lasts from one month to six months; after reproduction, the virus affects DNA cells.
Warts in a child on the hands or other parts of the body appear as a result of:
- independent infection. If a child has a wart, he can scratch it, transferring the virus to healthy areas, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose;
- from mother. If the mother’s genital organs are affected by papillomas, she can infect the baby during childbirth;
- through everyday objects. This could be other people's toys, clothes, shoes, the touch of an infected baby to a healthy child, hugs.
The baby can also become infected through the placenta while inside the mother’s womb.
The main causes of warts in children include:
- hormonal imbalances (typical of teenagers);
- diseases that have become chronic;
- frequent colds, for example, flu, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- stress, fatigue (typical for schoolchildren);
- lack of vitamins (against this background, vitamin deficiency develops);
- injuries, diaper rash, leading to disruption of the integrity of the skin;
- communication with a carrier of the virus;
- wearing smaller clothing (including shoes).
With low activity, little physical activity, insufficient personal hygiene, or visiting bathhouses or swimming pools, you can become infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Infection can occur at school, in transport, while walking on the street, in public places. Take note! Parents need to teach their child from childhood to wash their hands with soap after going outside and after damaging their skin.
Types of warts in children
A child’s wart on a finger, arm, or leg may be one or several. The main types of warts in children include:
- simple. They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This is the most common type. If there are several of them, then they can merge to form one root;
- flat (another name for youthful). They often merge, forming one root, usually small in size, and can line up in one line;
- spines. They arise in the area of the sole, grow deeply, which negatively affects the nerve endings;
- filiformes. Large, saggy, finger-shaped, natural skin color.
If the skin in the affected area has a gray or brown tint, this indicates the presence of a vulgar wart. Juvenile warts have a yellow or burgundy tint. The spines cause pain when walking, it is recommended not to put off visiting a doctor. Filiform warts can appear on the face and neck, which not only causes discomfort, but also looks unaesthetic. Among the presented list, there may be situations where warts are removed for children; treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
When to see a doctor
The first signs are a reason to consult a dermatologist. Remember that warts in children do not go away on their own; one formed papilloma will lead to the formation of others; they can unite to form one root. Such warts grow deep into the skin, causing discomfort, various diseases, and health problems. The virus will deplete the child’s immune system, he will become lethargic, inactive, and will often be susceptible to various diseases. The professional clinic employs qualified doctors, uses modern equipment and the latest treatment methods. Make an appointment with a dermatologist, he will conduct an examination and select an effective treatment.
Removing warts in children
If the papilloma is in an open area, the child needs to remove the wart immediately. To do this, professional doctors use the following methods:
- operation;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser use;
- cryotherapy.
During surgery, warts are removed in children using a scalpel. In all other cases, special equipment is used. The choice of removal method depends on various factors: benign or malignant formation, its "age", location, multiple or single, etc.
Operation
This method does not apply to small children. Before starting the procedure, local anesthesia is administered and removal is performed with a scalpel. Afterwards comes the postoperative period, the duration of which reaches several weeks. This is necessary to avoid infection in the wound. The surgery is performed in a clinic.
Electrocoagulation
The procedure involves the use of a special apparatus consisting of an electrode shaped like a loop. The loop is heated using an electric current, applied to the affected area, and under the influence of high temperature the papilloma is destroyed.
You can remove a wart from a child in this way under local or general anesthesia.
This is an effective treatment method; after the procedure, the area is treated with an antiseptic. A crust forms at the site of removal, which disappears after a week (maximum 10 days). A scar may remain at the site of formation.
Laser Application
An effective treatment method that is non-contact. The laser beams penetrate deep into the skin, affecting only the affected area, and there is no bleeding. This is a painless method of removal, the procedure lasts a few minutes, the wound heals without side effects or complications. The advantage of the method is the absence of marks on the surface of the skin, which is important for open areas.
Cryotherapy
The procedure involves the use of liquid nitrogen, the wart is frozen under the influence of low temperatures. The procedure does not cause bleeding; several sessions are required to completely remove the papilloma. A scar may remain; after the procedure, a blister appears at the site of formation, which over time turns into a crust and disappears. The procedure is not recommended for young children. Regardless of the method used, after the procedure you need to make every effort to strengthen the baby’s immune system. This will help avoid re-formation of papillomas.
Treatment
Treatment of warts in children is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist can prescribe both removal of the papilloma and select an intensive course of treatment consisting of medications. There are cases when warts on a child’s leg are treated with a special patch, solution, or using folk remedies. Take note! Folk remedies act as a preventive or additional method to the main drug treatment, but do not act as a separate way to get rid of warts.
Folk remedies
There are vegetables that have the same effect (freezing, relieving inflammation, cauterization) as medications and various procedures. A wart on a child’s leg or hands – what can be used:
- potato. Use it to make a compress at night;
- celandine. The juice is applied to the wart three times a day;
- celandine grass. It is mixed with medical Vaseline and applied to the site of the disease;
- garlic. Wrap in a sterile napkin and apply to the papilloma for 20 minutes;
- apple cider vinegar. It is mixed with water 2: 1, a swab is applied to the affected area;
- aloe. Apply the sheet to the wart, wrap the area with a bandage, change the sheet after it has completely dried;
- honey and onion, mix honey with onion juice. This method is not recommended if you are allergic to honey;
- tomato. Apply tomato pulp to the wart once a day.
Wormwood oil helps well; it can also be mixed with olive oil. Lubricate the area 4 times a day. The use of any medical product must be under the supervision of a physician. Take note! If, after using folk remedies, the growth has dried out and fallen off, there is no guarantee that the wart has been completely eradicated; it may remain in the middle, so it will soon appear again.
Wart on the back, face, nose - how to treat
These are special areas where the skin is delicate and sensitive. It is necessary to remove papillomas here with extreme caution so that there are no scars left (especially when it comes to the facial area). The first stage of treatment is medication; a dermatologist may prescribe a gentle ointment, which should be used at night. The child may also be prescribed medications that stimulate the immune system. To remove papillomas on the face or back, experts recommend using laser therapy. This will allow you to avoid scarring after the procedure.
Tips for parents
To avoid the formation of warts in children, teach your child hygiene, the use of personal soap and towels from childhood. Parents should monitor how correctly and carefully the child follows their recommendations. Hand washing is the first thing a child should do after walking outside and before eating. It is necessary to provide your child with healthy nutrition. It should consist of products containing calcium, fluorine, and iron. Include fermented milk products, fish, cereals, vegetables, and fruits in your diet. Cereals such as pearl barley and oatmeal. Food must contain a full range of vitamins and microelements.
Walking in the fresh air and playing sports are integral elements of a child’s life. This is what will help strengthen the baby’s immunity. If a child is injured, for example, falls and a wound forms, treat it with an antiseptic. Minimum stress – maximum benefit for the baby. If a wart appears, make an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist. Do not self-medicate, this may make the situation worse.